There is just a mish mash of thoughts bobbing around in the gray matter today, most of which are observations and questions. But, mostly this is an understanding of how this mad reality we live in continues. Each evening after coming in from the corporate plantation, I will tune in to a local radio station and listen to the Herman Cain show. Mr. Cain spews the normal white right wing propaganda with an enthusiam equal to his lighter skinned counter parts. On yesterday's show, Mr. Cain was all fired up because the approval for a Islamic community center to be built on 911 ground zero has been passed. Ah, Herman and his "real American" audience went on and on about how anyone that agreed with the building of the "mosque" is not a real American. How do black conservatives fix their mouths to let out this garbage? Sadly, no matter how intelligent these people sound they are nothing more than a mouth piece for their own future destruction. When the Tea Party "fringe" elements begin to hoot and shoot, black conservatives will be in their gun sites too.
Paul Ghysels is under attack. His family has owned property next to the campus of UC Berkley since the turn of the century, but now he is fighting for his life. In January a group of homeowners have filed a lawsuit against the fraternities on the UC Berkley campus. Ghysels has faced attacks on his property, his back door has been kicked in and rushed by university students to vomit on his furniture. They've even shot BB's at his wife and dog and he's been verbally assaulted. In fact, windows in his house have been shot out, no not by BB's but BULLETS!! While, taking in the news on this story, I noticed something strange but common. The news reporters kept referring to these drunk, pissing beings as frat boys, university students. WTF???? These are drunken thugs, criminals! Herman cain, aren't these low life criminals? Probably not in your white conservative mind.
Just wondering here. Are Black American businesses under corporate attack? Specifically, I am speaking of food products. Here in the Atlanta area we have a large population of black people. People from the Caribbean, Africa, South and Central America and from across the U.S. But, I've noticed how the large chain grocery stores have began stocking food items from the Caribbean and the Americas. This in effect, knocks the out the mom and pop stores that carry these products. The African products are not in these stores and the "Tropical" stores continue to do business as usual. I've wondered why we don't see pounded yam flour or stock fish in the major grocery stores. In fact, the Asian "tropical" stores and Mexican stores continue to do good business. Now, there are a few things at play I have to examine or consider. The Asian products in the major chains are not products most Asian typcally use. Who buys La Choy soy sauce? Yet, some of the same products carried in the Mexican stores are sold in the major chains, but the Mexicans tend to continue to buy from their stores and not the chains. On the other hand, black people, Caribbean people, will shop for the cheapest price and since the major chains can by in greater bulk..., you can see it. The major chains sell their products cheaper and what do we do?....Run to the major chains and forget about the small Caribbean store owner. Maybe we are attacking our businesses, ya think?
Black congress people are investigated at a much higher rate than white congress persons. This falls in line with a New York City study that shows black and latino people are stopped and searched 70% more than whites, but the arrest records are the same as whites. Too bad that Charlie Rangel and Maxine Waters forgot about this fact and put themselves into the investigative spotlight. Let me make it clear, I believe in due process. But, why do we allow ourselves to give the appearance of impropriety? We are not equal, as Asa of the AfroSpear reminds us. Maybe some of us that get into power forget we are the most studied and investigated people on the planet. Or just get too big for our britches as my grandmother used to say.
Speaking of too big for their britches, brings me to Elle Duncan of V103's Frank and Wanda morning show. The Frank and Wanda morning show is going to the beautiful island of Jamaica on August 5th. One morning Elle Duncan announced that the price of swim wear was incredible, up to six hundred dollars for one swim suit and a cover up. Immediately, this young and upcoming designer (who shall remain nameless) emailed her hoping to do business since they specialize in custom made swin wear, made just for the individual. Elle Duncan and the young designer set a meeting for a Friday at 12:30 at the radio station. The date, the time and place was set and the Clark Atlanta graduate and her manager were on their way to the station. They arrive and low and behold no Elle Duncan. The station receptionist calls and calls and finally Elle Duncan calls back and speaks with the young lady at the desk (never speaking with the designer or her manager personally) to say she sent an email at 11:30 advising she remembered she had a doctor's appointment. WTH????? She sends an email an hour before the meeting. If you live in the Atlanta metro area you cannot leave within an hour's time to arrive somewhere on time. Ok, understandably we are in the Blackberry, Droid and Iphone age, but this is inappropriate and just plain foul. Sure, Elle suggested the following Monday morning. Needless to say Elle never returned an email, never called. Elle this is no way to do business. Is this how we should expect our local celebrities to act? Is this a good example for a young up and coming designer? This designer was voted one of Atlanta's top 10 trend-setters and was invited to and participated in, one of the biggest fashion shows in the world, New York Fashion Week. This designer is not some slouch looking to jump on the coat tails of Elle Duncan, she has her own successes. Yep, Elle Duncan you are a local celebrity, no one knows you outside of Atlanta. Too bad you're a legend in your ownd mind and not to the world, just too big for your britches.
Monday, August 9, 2010 at 08:13PM 
